Eagles 3rd after 2 rounds in Stephen F. Austin’s Crown Classic

OC’s Johnny Ellis was tied for 25th after two rounds in the Crown Classic.

LUFKIN, Texas (Oct. 29, 2012) – Refocusing after the emotional high of winning a national championship proved to be a challenge for Oklahoma Christian’s men’s golf team on Monday in the Crown Classic.

The Eagles ended the tournament’s opening day with a two-round team score of 610, putting them third in the eight-team field behind a pair of NCAA Division I squads, tournament host Stephen F. Austin (582) and Sam Houston State (594).

Just five days removed from winning the NCCAA Championship in Panama City Beach, Fla., the Eagles “are emotionally tired,” coach David Lynn said.

“Today was a tough day for the team,” Lynn said, noting the course at Crown Colony Country Club includes numerous slopes and fast greens. “We didn’t adjust well to the speed and the rough. We also made a few critical mental errors that cost us 10-15 shots per round.”

Senior Vilhelm Bogstrand, the medalist at the NCCAA Championship, led OC on Monday, shooting rounds of 75 and 72 on the par-72, 6,692-yard layout. Bogstrand was tied for fourth at 147, 11 shots behind the individual leader, Mitchell McLeroy of Stephen F. Austin.

Alasdair Dalgliesh, who tied with teammate Sam Johnston for runner-up honors at the NCCAA event, was tied for 19th at 155 after rounds of 76 and 79. After shooting a 73 – the Eagles’ best first-round score – Johnston withdrew due to illness.

Two OC players who didn’t make the trip to Florida, Johnny Ellis and Trey Payne, were tied for 25th in the 45-man field at 159. Ellis fired rounds of 83 and 76 while Payne had a 79 and an 80.

Lynn said Johnston might be able to play again Tuesday and that he’s confident the Eagles can improve in what will be their final round of the fall season.

“I think we can do a lot better tomorrow if we can manage our misses,” he said.